(Clearwisdom.net) On the evening of July 30, the Seafair Torchlight
Parade, one of the top ten parades in the U.S., was held in downtown Seattle.
The parade dates back to 1950, celebrating the culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Seafair has more than 40 activities, with the parade being the climax. About
250,000 people from the greater Seattle area and tourists came out to watch the
parade. TV station KIRO-7 broadcast the parade live, and it is estimated that
about 700,000 people watched the parade at home.
The "Falun Dafa Boat"
 
The Falun Dafa Boat |
The Falun Dafa Boat |
For the very first time, spectators saw a grand "Falun Dafa Boat"
in the Falun Gong procession. Practitioners from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver,
Canada and Washington State participated in this parade. Two practitioners
holding a "Falun Dafa" banner lead the procession. Then came two
practitioners performing a traditional Lion Dance. After the dancers was the
exciting "Falun Dafa Boat." Practitioners displayed "Falun Dafa"
and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" banners on the boat. The tail
of the boat was a decorated float on which several practitioners were doing the
Falun Gong exercises and meditating in lotus flowers.
Falun Gong exercise demonstration |
Demonstrating the exercises on the "Boat" |
People were watching the practitioners' banners, the Lion dance and other
dance programs with their eyes wide open. When they saw the giant "Falun
Dafa Boat," they applauded and cheered.
Waist Drum Troupe
Waist drum troupe |
Lion dance |
Right behind the "Boat," came the practitioners' waist drum troupe.
Many children applauded in time to the drumbeats, and they quickly surrounded
the practitioners to play the drums when practitioners took short breaks. The
drum team performed repeatedly, accompanying the song, "Falun Dafa is
Good" and the music, "Joy." Behind the drum team was a group of
practitioners demonstrating the exercises. At the end of the practitioners'
group was another banner reading, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance."
TV Reporter: "All spectators seem to be learning meditation!"
When the practitioners passed by the reviewing stand, the images of the
"Falun Dafa Boat" taken from high above were magnificent. The golden
"Falun Dafa" characters and website address on the boat were shown
prominently on TV.
One of the three Master of Ceremonies introduced the practice: "Falun
Dafa is a traditional Chinese cultivation practice and has four standing
exercises and one meditation. It is based on the principles of
'Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance'." The MC continued, "I feel that
all of us should learn the exercises and the meditation." Another Master of
Ceremonies said, "Their float is so peaceful!" The first MC added,
"I felt that all our spectators are learning meditation! This is what
impresses me-their powerful influence!" The third MC said, "I now
feel that I have calmed down."
Media Interview and Coverage
The parade lasted about three and a half hours and was broadcast live. Later,
news about the parade was reported by different media outlets. Among the more
than 100 groups that participated in the parade, images of three groups,
including Falun Gong were selected by the news. In addition, on the morning of
the parade day, a local media outlet interviewed practitioners when they were
decorating the float.
During the Seattle Seafair Torchlight parade, practitioners walked 2.5 miles
through downtown Seattle. They hope that more people will see the beauty and
greatness of Falun Dafa.
